Bulletins

October 23, 2022

My sixth grade religion class at St. John the Beloved Academy has memorized the names of all the books of the Old Testament. Along the way we have encountered the seven books that were dropped by some Christians in the 1500s on account of ignoring the testimony of the Septuagint and the authority of the Church. Among those seven books is the Book of Sirach, which is a real gem. I encourage you to read it. Here is the beginning of chapter 6:

2 Do not exalt yourself through your soul’s counsel, lest your soul be torn in pieces like a bull.

3 You will devour your leaves and destroy your fruit, and will be left like a withered tree.

4 An evil soul will destroy him who has it, and make him the laughingstock of his enemies.

5 A pleasant voice multiplies friends, and a gracious tongue multiplies courtesies.

6 Let those that are at peace with you be many, but let your advisers be one in a thousand.

7 When you gain a friend, gain him through testing, and do not trust him hastily.

8 For there is a friend who is such at his own convenience, but will not stand by you in your day of trouble.

9 And there is a friend who changes into an enemy, and will disclose a quarrel to your disgrace.

10 And there is a friend who is a table companion, but will not stand by you in your day of trouble.

11 In your prosperity he will make himself your equal, and be bold with your servants;

12 but if you are brought low he will turn against you, and will hide himself from your presence.

13 Keep yourself far from your enemies, and be on guard toward your friends.

14 A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter: he that has found one has found a treasure.

15 There is nothing so precious as a faithful friend, and no scales can measure his excellence.

16 A faithful friend is an elixir of life; and those who fear the Lord will find him.

17 Whoever fears the Lord directs his friendship aright, for as he is, so is his neighbor also.

Come Holy Spirit of Wisdom!

~ Christopher J. Pollard

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